Do the Bearcats have enough to beat Muir?
Thoughts and observations from a CIF first round playoff weekend.
Sports writing can be a dangerous profession. I’m not talking about dodging players on the sidelines at a football game or weaving my way through a crowded stadium parking lot on a Friday night. I’m talking about facing the wrath of an Albert “Rhino” Perez after picking against his Schurr Spartans.
Have you seen Rhino Perez? He’s listed at 5’11”, 225 but when he’s staring you down in helmet and full pads he looks 6’5”, 300.
“Hey Mid Valley! I thought we were supposed to lose,” Perez said glaring at me though a face mask late in the fourth quarter.
“Hey Albert let me a get a shot,” I replied while aiming my camera at him trying to pacify him.
“But we were supposed to lose,” he said again this time more menacingly.
Without wasting any more time, I snapped a couple of shots, smiled and muttered a quick thanks before beating it down the sidelines to escape being sacked.
Okay I picked Baldwin Park. And it was walk in the park for Schurr, 31-7. Look, it isn’t easy. I mean someone has to write “Game Night”. And in Game Night I have to pick a winner and a loser. If you see Rhino this weekend stay out of his way. He might not be too happy. You see, I picked Schurr to lose again…to Monrovia.
Hey it was either that or have to hear it from Ellis McCarthy. I’ll take my chances with Rhino.
Is the Olympic the best team in the Mid-Valley Division? It sure looked that way Friday night as they went 3-0 in the first round. Going undefeated in the second round won’t be as easy but it’s a real possibility.
Valley Christian, which finished fourth behind Whittier Christian, Maranatha and Valley Christian, is better than at least six of the 16 teams that made it to the dance.
It’s hard to believe that just a year ago, Matt Fregoso was an after thought to Joey Diaz, who was the starting running back for Rosemead before suffering an injury. Fregoso was pressed into action and the rest as they say is history.
That being said I still like Amjed Aboul-hosn and Village Christian to beat the Panthers Friday night.
Arroyo Coach Jim Singiser confirmed late Friday night that the call that cost the Knights a potential game tying touchdown with four seconds left was the correct call. The pass was indeed forward “by a foot” and Steven Rivera’s score was nullified. Okay so the Knights didn’t get the shaft on the field. But did they in the first round draw?
“You have to beat the best to be the best,” Singiser said after the brackets were announced. But shouldn’t you get to play the best in a later bracket?
Wardell Crutchfield, as expected, resigned as the Baldwin Park DC after the Braves opening round loss to Schurr. Knowing Coach Crutch, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him resurface somewhere soon. He has a wealth of football knowledge, and is always great to talk to. I still can’t figure out why Duarte let him go.
The loss of Chase Price was devastating to Diamond Ranch down the stretch. You have to think the outcome of the first round, five point loss to Mayfair would have been a lot different if Price was available.
Next stop for Price – San Diego State.
Two weeks ago, La Mirada was riding high after knocking off Norwalk on its way to a Suburban League title. Now Norwalk is hosting a second round playoff game while the Matadores are home watching Oprah.
How far can Eliijhaa Penny and Billy Moore carry the Lancers?
Despite the first round exit, it was a great bounce back year for Jon Dimalante and the Apaches.
I know Muir is the hot pick right now but I’m going Bonita. I also like West Covina, Burroughs, and Norwalk in the Southeast, and Village Christian, Whittier Christian, San Dimas and Monrovia in the Mid-Valley. As for Rhino? I’m sure I’ll be hearing from him soon.
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tspeterson32@yahoo.com.
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